Best houseplants for low light
Tough plants for dim rooms and north windows
What low light really means
Low light means no direct sun, like a north window or a room lit mostly by lamps. It doesn't mean darkness. A good test: if there's enough daylight to read a book by, you can grow a houseplant there.
A windowless room needs a grow light. And more than a few feet from a window, light fades fast, so keep even tough plants fairly close.
Plants that cope
These plants handle dim spots better than most.
- ZZ plant: glossy and tough, and does especially well in low light.
- Snake plant: stiff, upright leaves that cope with almost any light.
- Pothos and heartleaf philodendron: trailing vines that keep growing in modest light.
- Cast-iron plant: lives up to its name in dark corners.
- Chinese evergreen: patterned leaves that tolerate low light.
- Peace lily: grows in low light, though it flowers best in brighter, indirect light.
- Parlor palm: a small, slow palm for shady rooms.
Care in low light
Plants in dim spots grow slowly, so the mix dries more slowly too. Water only when the soil says so, and feed less than you would in bright light, since plants in low light can't use much. Overwatering is the biggest risk in a dim room.
Variegated plants kept in shade may turn plain green. Dust the leaves now and then so they catch every bit of light.
Tolerate isn't thrive
Low-light plants survive dim rooms, but almost all grow faster and fuller in bright, indirect light. If one stops growing or starts stretching, move it closer to the window for part of the year. Dracaenas also tolerate dim rooms, but they tend to stretch and lean there.
Pets in the house
The ASPCA lists pothos, heartleaf philodendron, peace lily, Chinese evergreen and snake plant as toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing them can cause mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting.
Cast-iron plant and parlor palm are listed as non-toxic, which makes them good picks for homes with cats or dogs.
Related plant problems
Sources
- Iowa State University Extension: Easy Low-Maintenance Houseplants
- RHS: Houseplants for dark and shady rooms
- Clemson HGIC: Indoor Plants: Cleaning, Fertilizing, Containers & Light Requirements
- ASPCA: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List
General guidance, not a diagnosis. Written by PlantWiz in our own words from the sources above.